VISCERAL LEISHMANIASIS-HUMAN IMMUNO DEFICIENCY VIRUS COINFECTION AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG VISCERAL LEISHMANIASIS PATIENTS AT UNIVERSITY OF GONDAR HOSPITAL

Abstract

Background: Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) is a vector-born disease that is caused by an obligate intra-cellular protozoan parasite. Among parasitic diseases Leishmaniasis is the second deadly parasitic disease next to malaria. Ethiopia is one of the six countries in which more than 90% of global VL cases occur. Knowing the recent prevalence and associated factors for Visceral Leishmaniasis-HIV co infection will help in the control of the disease. Objective: To assess Visceral Leishmaniasis - human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co infection and associated factors among adult Visceral Leishmaniasis patients admitted at University of Gondar hospital, Gondar town, North West Ethiopia. Methodology: A cross sectional retrospective review study was conducted on all (465) patients with Visceral Leishmaniasis who had been admitted at University of Gondar hospital from September 11, 2011 to June 30, 2013. Descriptive statistics like Frequency tables, charts, mean with standard deviation and percentages were used to present and summarize most of the variables. Both bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to identify factors associated with Visceral Leishmaniasis - HIV co infection. Result: Out of the total study subjects 55 (11.8%) were Visceral Leishmaniasis -HIV coinfected patients. Age 28-37 years [AOR= 9.56; 95% CI: 4.10-22.31], >37 years [AOR= 4.16; 95% CI: 1.32-13.06]) and type of residence (AOR=4.88, 95% CI 2.59-9.20) were found to be significantly associated with VL-HIV co infection. Conclusion and recommendation: Visceral Leishmaniasis-HIV co infection prevalence was found to be lower than the other studies. Age and type of residence were variables found to be significantly associated with Visceral Leishmaniasis-HIV co infection. Ministry of health and other None Governmental organizations (NGOs) should implement intervention strategies to reduce further the Visceral Leishmaniasis-HIV co infection rate as a whole and particularly among the resident population of VL endemic area.